I've been down the Mississippi,

Down through New Orleans,

Yes, I have.

I've played in California,

There ain't too much I haven't seen.

No, there ain't.

Well, I'm a ramblin' man,

Don't fool around with a ramblin' man.

Left a girl in West Virginia,

Up there where that green grass grows,

Yes, I did.

Another girl in Cincinnati,

Waitin' where the Ohio River flows,

Poor girl!

I'm a ramblin' man,

Don't give your heart to a ramblin' man.



You'd better move away,

You're standin' too close to the flame.

Once I mess with your mind,

Your little heart won't beat the same.

Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,

Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.

Better not!



Well, up in Chicago,

I was known as "Quiet Boy,"

Yes, I was!

Down in Alabama,

They call me "The man of joy,"

Still do!

Well, I'm a ramblin' man,

Don't fall in love with a ramblin' man.



You'd better move away,

You're standin' too close to the flame.

Once I mess with your mind,

Your little heart won't beat the same.

Lord, I'm a ramblin' man,

Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man.